Ludhiana, June 6
In a drive against unlawful possession of government land, a team of the building branch of the Municipal Corporation today got two chunks of land vacated from their unlawful occupants in Bank Colony and Panjpeer Road in the Haibowal locality. Some structures, including rooms and a shop, were pulled down.

Elsewhere in the city, another MC team demolished structures in four unauthorised colonies on Lohara Road and sealed two mobile phone towers in Zone C.

Led by assistant town planner (ATP) of Zone D Rajinder Sharma, a team of the building branch of the MC, along with a strong contingent of police personnel, evicted encroachers from a piece of land measuring 1600 square yards, which is under the civic body control. The land was under the unlawful possession of Amar Kaur. A shop and other structures raised on the land were pulled down by the MC staff.

Deft handling by the MC staff and police personnel saved the situation from taking an ugly turn as the woman occupying the land threatened to attack the MC team with bricks.

Several rooms and other structures built on another chunk of 9,800 square yards on Panjpeer Road, in the Haibowal area, were razed. The MC team had to face mild resistance at this site as well, but they carried out the task without much interference.

Another team of the building branch, led by ATP, Zone C, Bankey Bihari dismantled roads and other ongoing constructions in four unauthorised colonies in Maha Singh Nagar and Dhillon Nagar on Lohara Road. Several other structures constructed in these colonies were also razed.

The MC officials later sealed two mobile towers erected in violation of the laid down policy in Kot Mangal Singh on Gill Road, a predominantly residential area.

Ludhiana, June 6
High drama took place at the Civil Hospital here following the death of a newborn during treatment. The death sparked a protest against the doctor concerned and the newborn’s parents demanded action against him. The doctor has been identified as Yogesh Khanna.

The parents said instead of attending to the newborn, the doctor ill-treated the child’s maternal grandmother.

The police post at the Civil Hospital has received a complaint in this regard.

In the meantime, Civil Surgeon Subash Batta has marked an inquiry into the episode. The SMO, Dr RK Karkra, would hold probe the matter.

Sources said the protest was fuelled by a group of doctors, who are not on good terms with Dr Khanna.

The incident took place when the newborn's condition worsened and he stopped taking feed.

The newborn's maternal grandmother, Kamla Devi claimed that she informed the peadiatrician about her grandchild's deteriorating condition.

She claimed he prescribed a medicine, but the newborn’s condition worsened.
Kamla said she rushed to the doctor and sought help, but instead of attending to the newborn, the doctor, identified as Yogesh Khanna, reprimanded her. When she returned to the ward, she was shocked to find the newborn dead. Sanjiv and Anita Rani, the newborn’s parents, were inconsolable.

Anita, a resident of Kheri village in Rarra Sahib, arrived at the Civil Hospital three days ago.

Milap Singh, a former sarpanch of the village, said: "We do not have any issues with the line of treatment, our only grudge is that the doctor ill-treated the couple’s relatives. He should not have behaved like this with the poor woman who was in distress."

Despite repeated attempts by this Tribune reporter to contact Dr Yogesh, the latter was not available for comments.

Ludhiana, June 6
The city police has booked two couples, who allegedly used to pose as Army officials and dupe innocent residents on the pretext of getting their wards selected in the Army. The accused took Rs 3.6 lakh from three persons of Jamalpur assuring them that their sons would get jobs in the Army.

The accused have been identified as Harmanjot Kaur and her husband Gurmeet Singh of Khandial village in Sangrur, and Shashi Datta Devi and her husband Gurnam Singh of Mundian Khurd village.

The case was registered on the directions of the Commissioner of Police. According to the complainant, Major Singh, he had filed a complaint against the accused on October 2012 after his son was not selected in a recruitment drive of the Army.

Major Singh stated that Harmanjot Kaur used to pose as a Captain rank officer in the Indian Army. She had told Major Singh that her husband Gurmeet Singh was a Naib Subedar. Shashi Dutta Devi and her husband Gurnam Singh would help struck the deal.

The modus operandi was simple. Shashi and Gurnam would talk highly about their contacts in the Army in order to trap their victims. They would introduce their victims to Harmanjot Kaur and Gurmeet Singh, who used to pose as Army officials.

Major Singh alleged that they took Rs 1 lakh from him, Rs 1.4 lakh from Gurdial Singh and Rs 1.2 lakh from Nirmal Singh.

A case has been registered under sections 419, 420 and 120- B for impersonation, fraud and criminal conspiracy. Sources said the con couples would rent houses in densely populated areas where they could easily find their victims.

Ludhiana, June 6
A dust storm, accompanied by light showers, brought some respite from the sweltering heat in the day this evening.
The maximum temperature during the day hit 43.4 degree centigrade whereas the minimum temperature was recorded at 31.5 degree centigrade.

The average temperature recorded the same day last year was 35.3 degree centigrade, the maximum temperature being 41.6 degree centigrade and minimum 29 degree centigrade. The average temperature in 2010 was 30.3 degree centigrade.

Although the humidity levels are normal, more humidity is being felt with South-Easterly winds increasing moisture and humidity levels in the last few days, said Dr KK Gill from Meteorology Department,
PAU.

Ludhiana, June 6
Power supply in most parts of the city was disrupted after high velocity winds, accompanied by light showers, lashed the city late in the afternoon. A large number of trees were uprooted at several places across the city and in the areas along the highways, leading to the snapping of power lines.

Reports received from different parts of the city indicated that residents of the Civil Lines, Model Town, Dugri, Sarabha Nagar, BRS Nagar and many other localities on Ferozepur Road, in the old city and on the outskirts had remained without power supply for three or seven hours.

A majority of people in the affected areas had to go without water supply in the evening due to power failure.

Power supply to Khanna town and a large number of rural areas was also affected.

According to KL Sharma, Chief Engineer, Central Zone, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited, approximately 40 or 50 per cent 11 KV feeders in the city and on the periphery had suffered damage due to uprooted trees or the snapping of power lines.

"We have deployed the technical staff to restore power supply to the affected areas. Several feeders have been made operational while normal power supply to the city will be restored by late night," Sharma added.

Ludhiana, June 6
In a significant order, the State Information Commission, Punjab, has ruled that the city-based Dr BL Kapur Memorial Hospital is a public authority under the terms of the Right to Information Act, 2005, and hence, the institution ought to implement the said act in letter and spirit.

Taking up the complaint of Paramjit Singh, the State Information Commissioner, RI Singh, disagreed with the contention of the respondent hospital that the application filed by the complainant under the RTI Act was motivated because Paramjit Singh was an ex-employee of the hospital, who had been asked to vacate his hospital quarter and a charge sheet was also served upon him.

“The RTI Act is very clear on this issue. The Section 6(2) clearly states that an applicant making request for information shall not be required to give any reason for seeking information.

Relationship between and applicant and information provider is not relevant to the provisions of the RTI Act,” said the Info panel chief.

The plea taken by the respondent that the hospital was providing health services to the poor people and being a charitable institution it was not subject to the RTI Act did not find favour with the SIC.

In its orders, the Commission noted that even though the financial grants being provided by the Municipal Corporation and the Health and Family Welfare Department, Punjab, had been discontinued. The hospital was operating on valuable government land which was given to it on a nominal lease amount since 1950 and the lease period had also expired in 1980.

“Allotment of land at a throw away price to the respondent institution certainly amounts to substantial financial assistance,” saidthe Commission while ruling that the hospital is a public authority within the meaning of section 2(h) (d) (ii) of the RTI Act.

Parting with the orders, the Commissioner directed the respondent (Kapur Hospital) to implement the RTI Act and also address the RTI application of the complainant Paramjit Singh within 15 days of the order in accordance with the provisions of the RTI Act.

Ludhiana, June 6
Dharna by rural health pharmacists, veterinary pharmacists and class IV employees working in 1,186 rural health dispensaries and 582 veterinary dispensaries entered the sixth day today. They burnt the effigy of the Rural Development and Panchayat Minister, Surjit Singh
Rakhra.

Medical facilities to many dispensaries are provided by pharmacists. Following the dharna by pharmacists, work in the dispensaries has been suspended.

President of the Rural Health Pharmacist Association, Kulraj Singh
Haans, said the association members have been working on small pay since June 2006, which is equivalent to economic exploitation of these members.

People are facing inconvenience due to the suspension of work at the dispensaries. They have to go to district civil
hospital.

Gurmeet Singh from the association said if the government doesn't agree to their demands appropriate pay scale, they would struggle further.

Ludhiana, June 6
Local industry has termed the reward policy of the excise and taxation department as unjustified which is kindling "inspector raj" in the state. Knitwear industry has also shot a letter to the Chief Minister in this regard mentioning that although government promised to abolish inspector raj in the state. But the reward policy of the excise department is doing it otherwise.

In order to curb tax evasion and boost up the tax collection in the state, the excise and taxation department has launched reward policies for its officials and informers.

"To get rewards department is frequently making raids to get the incentives. Though the government boasts of removing the inspector raj yet with this move the government is nurturing them," allege Darshan Dawar, president of Knitwear Club, who has also shot a letter to the Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal in this regard.

Ludhiana, June 6
Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria today visited the site of Lakkad Bridge and construction site of indoor stadium and the Guru Nanak
Bhawan. “I was told that some part of the bridge will become operational by July but that doesn't look viable,” he said.

“I have directed the MC Commissioner and senior technical staff to check the status of the fabrication at the site where
it is being done and report,” he said.

He would be able to tell about the status after seeing the report, he said.

He said that the construction of major
volume of work, including the roof would take about four months to complete. Second phase of the construction including the air-conditioning, elevator would be started soon. “I want to open the stadium for public by the first half of next year,”
he said.

He also visited the Guru Nanak Bhawan for taking a look at the space for public library. He said that world class library would be created at the Guru Nanak Bhawan. “We already have the space on the first floor. It is expected to be complete by the end of this year,” he said.

PAU NOTES
Agricultural varsity centre receives award for research work
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 6
All-India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) Centre on Agro-forestry, operative in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has received the "Best Presentation Award 2013” for the research work.

Dr SP Sharma, Director Research, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar, Himachal Pradesh, Krishi Vishwavidyalya (CSKHPKV), Palampur, and Dr SK Dhyani, Director, National Research Centre for
Agro-forestry and Project Coordinator, presented the award to the team of the PAU scientists during the Annual Group Meeting of AICRP on Agro-Forestry, held at
CSKHPKV.

The Vice-Chancellor of PAU, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, and the Director of Research, Dr SS Gosal congratulated the university team of the AICRP on Agro-forestry for this achievement. The AICRP Agro-Forestry Centre of the PAU has been awarded for the research work done under the chairmanship of Dr Avtar
Singh, senior silviculturist and head of the FNR. The award-winning presentation was based
on the work done by the team comprising PAU scientists namely Dr RIS Gill, Agro-Forestry Scientist, Dr Baljit Singh, soil scientist, Dr Navneet Kaur, agronomist; Dr KS Sangha, Entomologist; Dr GPS Dhillon, tree
breeder; and Dr GS Rattan, Senior Plant Pathologist.

World Environment Day
celebrated

Centre for Communication and International Linkages (CCIL) of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) celebrated the “World Environment Day” in association with the Institution of Engineers India (IEI). On the occasion, the senior officials of IEI participated in the celebration. The theme of the World Environment Day was “Think, Eat, Save-Reduce Your Foot Print.”

Speaking on this occasion, the Chief Guest, Dr SS Gosal, Director of Research, PAU, expressed concern over the environmental issues such as abrupt climate change, global warming, deforestation, hazardous industrial waste, and air and water pollution. He urged the people from
different walks of life to come forward and play a vital role in making the environment cleaner and greener.

In his presidential remarks, Dr PPS Lubana, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, emphasised on the blend of science and engineering subjects for the protection of environment.”

In his inaugural address, Dr HS Sehgal, Additional Director of Communication, divulged, “According to Food and Agriculture Organisation, about one-third of food is
either wasted or lost. One out of seven people in the world go to bed hungry.''

Dr TS Kamal, council member, IEI, said the concern for the protection of environment, and for the sustainable development and safety of society are the primary thrust areas of IEI.

On the occasion, two special lectures were delivered by the eminent speakers Dr GS Hira, former Additional Director of Research (Agriculture), PAU, and Dr JS Dhiman, Additional Director of Research (NR&PHM).

Dr Dhiman emphasised on celebrating every day as environment day. Delivering a lecture on “Environmental Concerns for Punjab Agriculture,” he pointed out that food wastage during production, transport and storage is a matter of serious concern. Future improvements in food production need to be made, he stressed.

Ludhiana, June 6
Summer is a challenging season to poultry farming. For the hot summer months, there are many precautions which need to be taken right from the onset of rising temperature.
The information was shared by Dr Samita Saini of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University
(GADVASU).

She said poultry birds do not have sweat glands and have thick cover of feathers. During summers, the birds consume less feed and more water due to which their growth rate, egg production, egg shell quality and hatchability are all adversely affected and mortality is high. Disease incidence in the flocks also increases because of wet litter, immunosuppression, vaccination failures and contamination of drinking water.

Dr Saini said there should be a grass cover on the grounds surrounding the poultry house which will reduce the reflection of sunlight into the house. Vegetation should be kept trimmed to avoid blocking air movement and to help reduce rodent problems. Shady trees should be located where they do not restrict the air movement. Keep a reliable, clean, cool source of water available to help the birds cope with high temperatures. As the birds excrete electrolytes during periods of heat stress, the same can be added to the drinking water to replace those that are lost and to stimulate water consumption. The number of waterers and frequency of watering should be increased in summer months.

While purchasing the new stock the time of purchase should be adjusted in such a way that the productive stage should not come during acute summer months. Before the onset of summer season the unproductive and weak birds should be removed and stocking density should be reduced. During summer season, nutrient intake by the birds should be increased by increasing nutrient density, feeding birds during colder part of the day and adjust ventilation fans to provide more cooling during the evening.

Ludhiana, June 6
The private bus operators, who had provided both their mini and district buses to the district administration for conducting the block samiti and zila parishad elections on May 19 said, “The state government takes the vehicles ‘forcefully’ when ever there is a rally, function or elections but never provides the payments on time.”

The operators said the payments for the Municipal Corporation elections were also made after six months. The lackadaisical attitude on the part of the state government or the district administration was uncalled for and they should be given their dues within the stipulated time.

The president of the Mini Bus Operators Association, Punjab, JS Grewal, said about 250 vehicles were demanded by the District Transport Department for the elections and more than half the buses belonged to private bus operators.

“There is an outstanding amount of about Rs 40 lakh pending with the department/district administration. We had provided our buses for two days. For one day, the government was to give Rs 4,500 for the district buses and Rs 3,000 for the mini buses. Some of the bus operators were even reluctant to give their vehicles but they had no option but to bow down to the pressure of the department. At least the payment should be made on time,” said
Grewal. He said the payments for the Municipal Corporation elections were made by the government after six months.

Anil Garg, District Transport Officer, said: “We have not got the payments so far by the State Election Commission. Whenever we get the payment, we will
disburse it.”

Ludhiana, June 6
The Punjab Government has given its nod to the amendment in the toll policy to rationalise the toll rates across the state. The initiative would lessen the burden of the masses commuting through roads.

Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, PWD Minister, Punjab, today said that after the proposed amendment, the toll rates would be curtailed to Rs 15 from the existing rate of Rs 31.

He said the toll rates for the flyovers and under bridges would be fixed considering the cost of the structures instead of the length of the bridges. He said the endeavour would bring down the toll rates substantially.

The minister said that as per the existing policy, a pass was issued to the commuter for 12 hour whereas under the new policy, the pass would be issued for 24 hours and 25 per cent
discount would be permissible instead of 20 per cent which was the current rate of discount.

He said the monthly pass would be valid for 30 days from the date of the issuance. Now, only 40 per cent of the WTI (whole rate tax index) would be considered for the enhancement of toll rates and only 3 per cent would be added in the annual hike in toll rate which was 10 per cent earlier.

He said the state government in the annual budget of 2013-14 had earmarked Rs 4,200 crore to improve the road connectivity and infrastructure across the province out of which Rs 1,700 crore would be invested for repair work, Rs 600 crore for the upgrade of the 1,092 km long rural roads, Rs 200 crore for re-carpeting of 350 km long stretch of road while Rs 270 crore has been kept for upgrade of 15 bridges and roads.

Ludhiana, June 6
Although the Income Tax Department had included the column of Aadhaar card number in the application form number 49-A (it is required for making a Permanent Account Number) but it forgot to update the instructions to include Aadhaar card as an identity proof.

While submitting an application for PAN, one is required to attach a picture along with an address proof and identity proof. Those who had attached Aadhaar cards as their identity or address proof have got their applications back as the department is not considering Aadhaar cards as a proof.

“My voter card bears the wrong spelling of my father's name. So, I had attached my Aadhaar card as a proof but surprisingly, my form was rejected and now they have asked me to submit another proof. On the one hand, the department is asking for the Aadhaar card and on the other, it is not accepting it,” said Simranpreet Kaur.

Tax professional Jatinder Khurana said: “Many people are facing difficulties due to this. The department should update its instructions and include Aadhaar card as a proof of identity or address. On the one side, the government is saying that Aadhaar card is the basis of one's existence in the country while on the other, the I-T Department is not accepting it as an identity proof.”

Another applicant said that after making his Aadhaar card, he was happy that now had the card which can be used as an identity proof in every departmental work.

“The Income Tax Department is not accepting it for making my PAN card although it has a column mentioning that one can submit Aadhaar card as
an identity and residence proof,” said Suresh Sharma.

Ludhiana, June 6
The buyer and seller meet of shawl manufacturers will be an annual event at Ludhiana for all wool mark licenses of Amritsar and Ludhiana. The announcement was made by Mridula Jain, MD, Shingora Textiles Ltd, Vice-Chairperson, Shawl Club (India), after being nominated as the chairperson of the Shawl Club (India) by Aamir Sheikh India, Head, Wool Mark Company.

Mridula Jain after taking charge announced a five-point program to be implemented during her tenure as chairperson. First point is to make buyer and seller meet an annual event at Ludhiana for all wool mark licenses of Amritsar and Ludhiana. Secondly, she will work towards the formation of common shawl club website with the latest options and in-live format.

The Shawl Club (India) will take initiative to upgrade the existing textile committee lab to international standards with the help of textile ministry.

Aamir Sheikh, Head, Wool Mark Company, said: "Wool mark has planned to introduce cool wool which can be worn in summers as well. The T-shirts of cool wool will be out in the market in
the next season and it will be manufactured in Ludhiana only."

Samrala June 6
Several residents of Kotla Shamshpur village blocked traffic last night against the ‘illegal’ occupation of a portion of the village pond by a family of the same area. The traffic blockade was opened after about half-an-hour when the police swung into action and persuaded the people to open traffic blockade.

Later, the police officials of Samrala brought out a JCB and started the clearing of the village pond by evacuating sand from it. Due to the blockade, the traffic was diverted through some other routes.

As per information, a family of the same village had started filling a common village pond meant for the village mud water mainly of Dalit families with sand-laden trucks. The villagers informed the police. But as per villagers, the police of Hedon Chowki failed to turn up swiftly.

In the meantime, about 100 persons of the village including women came out of their houses and blocked traffic on the Ludhiana-Chandigarh road. On information Samrala DSP and SHO reached the scene and persuaded the villagers to open traffic. The police officials then called up a JCB, on villagers’ demand, on the spot and started clearing the pond. Samrala SHO, Harjinder Singh, when contacted, said they are enquiring the matter and they had kept the pond into as it is position by clearing the sand.

Ludhiana, June 6
Day after the death of a 14-year-old girl, identified as Bharti, her sister (19), too, died under mysterious circumstance at Guru Teg
Bahadur Hospital here last night. The incident has devastated the family of Satish Kumar (father of the girls), a resident of Karnail Singh Nagar, who is physically challenged.

He said both the girls had left the house early on Tuesday and it was during the afternoon that they returned home.

"My wife Ritu offered them food. They slept for sometime. But soon they started vomiting. Both, Bhawna and Bharti (victims), were rushed to a hospital, but they could not survive. I don't know why god has been so cruel to me. Already, I cannot walk and now he has snatched my two daughters from me," lamented Satish, father of the two girls.

Satish Kumar claimed that he didn't know what substance they consumed. He said his elder daughter was suffering from a mental disorder and was undergoing treatment from a psychologist.

Ludhiana, June 6
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has asked the Income Tax Department to be strict with those who fail to deposit tax deducted at source (TDS). The CBDT has issued directions to all the TDS range office to slap penalties in case one fails to deposit TDS in full and in time.

“Penalty ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 1, 00,000 will be slapped for failure to deposit TDS. Similarly, furnishing of incorrect information or failure to file the collection statement within the due date would attract penalty between Rs10, 000 and Rs1, 00,000. The department is getting very strict when it comes to filing returns and TDS. No laxity will be accepted in this regard,” said a senior I-T official.

In case of non-compliance within the stipulated time, a fine of Rs 200 per day will be charged for delay in remittance of either TDS or TCS.

The Income Tax officials have also been directed to inform and make aware all authorised deductors, both government and private, about the new stipulations.

It was found that deductors delay for long the filing of these categories of taxes even after deducting it from the salary of their employees. This is part of the measures aimed at strengthening the TDS regime and compliance level.

Ludhiana, June 6
A seminar on Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) was organised at Bhartiya Vidya
Mandir with an aim to acquaint the teachers with the system initiated by
the CBSE. The resource person, Harmeet Kaur, Principal of Nankana Sahib Public School, and Director of Sahodaya Cluster 16, briefed the importance of assessing the students from the very beginning till end.

The BVM faculty was apprised of the changing paradigms and various methods to deal with change in work and
life through a presentation by Sir Ken Robinson. The teachers showed a keen interest in the
variety of tools and techniques used in monitoring and mentoring the students. In the
nutshell, the seminar proved to be quite beneficial for the teachers as they were made aware of the ways to wholesome development of students. At the
end of the seminar all the queries were welcomed and gratified by Harmeet Kaur. Principal Bandana Sethi expressed her gratitude by presenting a token of love to the honoured guest.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, June 6
Students of Guru Nanak Nursing College threatened to launch an agitation in case they were not granted holidays on the pattern of school students.
Maintaining that proper arrangements had been made to provide all amenities to students and the staff, principal Veenu Methew said holidays could not be allowed without permission of the authorities.

Situation became tense when the students started protesting against the management and during altercation with the principal and the staff one student fainted. She was shifted to the hospital of the institute for the treatment.

Parents reached the college campus and threatened to launch a struggle in case the students’ demands were not accepted.
— OC

Ludhiana: Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tiwari has appealed to freedom fighters and their dependents, which have not drawn pension, to fill in the forms by June 15 by attaching the documents that they or their ancestors were part of the freedom struggle. "The government is giving pension to those who were the part of the freedom struggle," said DC.

Essay competition

A national level essay competition is being organsied by the Dr Ambedkar Foundation. The competition is divided into two categories. In the first category students from Class 9-12 can participate while in second category students from colleges, universities can participate. The winner
of first category will be given a cash price of Rs 25,000. In the second category the first prize is of
Rs 1 lakh.

Literary seminar on June 12

The Punjabi Lok Likhari Manch, Batala, in association with the Punjabi Sahit Akademi, Ludhiana, is holding a literary seminar on June 12 at the Punjabi Bhawan. Dr Surjit Patar will be the chief guest on the occasion. Dr Surjit Singh Bhatti will commence the literary discussion on the topic "Role of literature in the changing social environment".

Thumbs down to industrial policy

The Auto Parts Manufacturers Association has expressed dissatisfaction over the new industrial policy launched by the Punjab government. Gurpargat Singh Kahlon, president of the association, said nothing has been announced for the development and progress of micro, medium and small industries. The existing industry has been totally ignored.

Free eye
check-up camp

The Central Bank in association with the Punarjot Eye Bank has launched a drive under which they will be holding free eye camp for children from June 10-17. The camp will be held at BRS Nagar situated at the clinic of Dr Ramesh from 4 pm to 6 pm.

World Environment Day celebrated

The Sanjeevani College of Nursing and Pharmacy, Daudpur, Khanna, celebrated World Environmental Day. On the occasion, Gurpreet singh, Superintendent of Police, Fatehgarh Sahib, was the chief guest. Director Kawaljeet Singh was also present on the occasion. The students of the nursing college presented a role play in which they gave the message to grow more trees to save environment.

Blood donation camp held

The Bhai Ghanaiya Ji Mission Sewa Society organised a blood donation camp at the city office of Income Tax and Excise Department. Taranjit Singh Nimana from the society said 128 units of blood were collected during the camp. Commissioner of Income Tax Binod Kumar, while inaugurating the camp, said: "Blood donation is a noble cause and everyone should contribute to it."
— TNS

Ludhiana, June 6
The city police has booked three persons, including a boy and his parents, for kidnapping and raping a minor girl by solemnising a marriage and deserting the victim after assaulting her.

The accused have been identified as Sajan and his parents Brij Mohan and Anita, all residents of Pritam Vihar in Bhamia, were booked under Sections 363, 366, 376, 420, 120 B of the IPC for committing a kidnapping, rape and fraud.

The victim's father, a resident of Bhamia village, reported that Sajan, along with his parents had kidnapped his daughter on August 2012 from home. He said his daughter was studying in class IX when she was kidnapped.

The victim's father learnt that the accused had left the house and solemnised a marriage with his daughter.

It was on April 4 that the victim returned home in tatters and narrated the entire ordeal to his father. She, reportedly, told her father that the accused and his parents had taken her from one place to another. She said Sajan raped her several times by sedating her. She said the accused made her sign on some documents as well.

Thieves decamp with bike, scooter

Leaving mobike for answering nature call proved costly for a city resident as some vehicle lifters escaped with his motorcycle.

The police has registered a case against the unidentified persons here today.

Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Railway Colony, said the incident took place on May 30 when he was returning home from work.

He said when he reached near his house, he stopped his motorcycle to answer nature call. In the mean time, two youths riding on a mobike came from behind and the youth sitting pillion fled with his motorcycle.

In another incident, Manpreet Singh, a resident of Green Field, said unidentified vehicle lifters stole scooter that he had parked outside a shopping mall in Sarabha Nagar.

Criminal conspiracy

The city police has booked Yudhvir Berri of Model Town and Harmeet Kaur of Gill road have for committing fraud and criminal conspiracy to usurp the hard earned money of Waliti Ram of Mohalla Chet Singh Nagar.

The case was registered nearly 21 years after the incident took place.

The matter dates back to February 1992 when Waliti had purchased a plot near Gill Canal Chowk area. Waliti Ram claimed that he had reportedly given Rs 11. 5 lakh for purchasing the plot. He said the accused neither formulated a registry of the plot nor did they returned the money.

Waliti Ram said he ran from pillar to post for seeking action against the accused persons, but to no avail.

Recently, the Shimlapuri police initiated a probe in the matter and registered the case.

Two booked

The city police has booked two persons namely, Jarnail Singh and Charanjit Singh, both residents of Mode Town and BRS Nagar, respectively, for committing a fraud of Rs 12.36 lakh and Rs 2.9 lakh, respectively.

Inderjit Taneja, District Manager Punjab Fertilisers Corporation, stated in his complaint that the
duo had taken a loan in 1992 by mortgaging their machines.

But since then the duo did not pay the loan installments and also embezzled the machines upon which they had taken loan.

The Shimlapuri police registered a case against the Jarnail Singh and Charanjit Singh under Sections 406 and 120 of the IPC for criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy.

Ludhiana, June 6
A 23- year-old woman, identified as
Puja, died under mysterious circumstances by hanging herself from a ceiling
fan at her residence in Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar today. Kamlesh Rani, mother-in-law, said that her son Prince, brother-in-law of Puja, found her body hanging from the ceiling fan.

Rakesh Kumar, Puja's husband, informed the police about the incident. The police has not ruled out foul play behind the incident.

Puja's parents who live in Himachal Pradesh were informed about the incident.

Davinder Singh, SHO, Jamalpur, said: "Investigation is under way".

The body was taken to civil hospital for post mortem.

Snatchers attack PRTC employees

Snatchers attacked PRTC employees and took away their laptop and Rs 10,000. Four snatcher entered inter-state bus terminus and assaulted the PRTC employees and snatched away their bag and
laptop.

The police has registered a case and the investigation is under way.The bus stand police has also seized a huge quantity of psychotropic drugs from two drug peddlers. According to a source, 2,000 cough syrups and 200 injections have been seized from the
possession of the accused.

Jagraon, June 6
A migrant worker was killed when his bicycle, he was riding on, was hit by an unknown vehicle on the Ludhiana-Ferozepur national highway near Malak Chowk in Jagraon last night. The deceased has been identified as Ramesh Kumar (37), a resident of Baskar district in Nepal.

The accident took place around 11 pm past night when Ramesh left the restaurant, where he was working.

According to sources, Ramesh was going towards his rented accommodation in Jagraon. When he reached near local Malak Road, an unknown vehicle coming from Ludhiana side smashed into his cycle. Some nearby residents informed the police about the accident following which the local police rushed the victim to Jagraon Civil Hospital, where he was declared brought dead by the doctors. While the driver of the vehicle which hit the cycle fled away from the spot along with the vehicle immediately after the accident.

However, the police has registered a case in this regard at the Jagraon Bus Stand police post. "The police has registered a case against an unidentified person on the statement of victim's cousin, Ram Bahadur. We have found some vital clues from the place where the accident took place and these clues might help us tracing the vehicle involved in the accident", said investigating officer ASI Baldev Singh. Meanwhile, the police handed over the dead body of the victim to his relative after conducting a post mortem at the Civil Hospital, Jagraon today.

Victim's cousin, Ram, told the media persons that Ramesh had arrived Punjab from Nepal to earn livelihood for his family about four years ago.

Ludhiana, June 6
The 62-year-old millionaire Jaswant Singh Grewal, accused of killing his elder brother, Kulwant Singh Grewal (75), over a property feud was produced before the court here today.

He was further sent on a two-day police remand. The investigating officer said the police has found the keys that were dumped in the canal and efforts were on to locate the weapon used in the crime be Jaswant Singh.

Kulwant's mutilated body was found in a house located at Mehma Singh Wala village, near here, on May 30.

It was a well-planned murder, said the police. After perpetrating the crime, the accused left the village and had stayed in Malaysia for nearly four days.

The investigating officer said it was an alibi by Jawant to make the police believe that he was somewhere else when the incident took place.